Syllabus: Please see more information on TritonEd course website
Instructor and mentors
Instructor: Jenny Herndon
Teaching assistants: TBA
Mentors: TBA
Course description
BIMM 101 will introduce
several key methods that are used in a typical molecular biology laboratory,
focusing on the techniques and concepts that involve cloning DNA plasmid
constructs and the analysis of DNA/RNA samples. The laboratory work will consist of four
multi-day projects. We will begin by cloning and expressing a bacterial enzyme
that exhibits luminescence, and then explore the efficiency of different
promoter sequences in a synthetic biology project. Next, we will use an RNA
interference (RNAi) technique in C.
Elegans to induce knock-down of a particular gene, and finally, a sample of
our own DNA will be analyzed to determine our particular genotype for the “PTC
tasting trait” or ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC).
Learning in this course
Since this is an introductory lab
course, all lab work will emphasize the learning of basic lab skills and good
lab technique. By performing these experiments, you will also have the
opportunity to practice the principles of quality scientific methodology. These
include using proper controls in designing experiments/interpreting results,
keeping an accurate and complete record of all experiments in a lab notebook,
and the ability to troubleshoot a procedure when the expected results are not
forthcoming.
The periodic in-class quizzes contain
any material that is found in the lab manual or covered in lecture, and are
designed to assess your understanding of the experiments as they unfold. Be
sure to focus on understanding the purpose of the current lab project and how
each experiment fits into this, the basic concepts underlying the procedures
(not simply procedural details), and simple mathematical and analytical
skills based on what you have actually done in lab.
Course requirements and grading
Your
grade will be determined from the following:
|
5 Quizzes (50pts each)
|
250
|
|
Pre-Lab
Quizzes (8 total @ 5 pts each)
|
40
|
|
5
Written Assignments (50 or 70 pts each)
|
310
|
|
7 Classwork Assignments (5-15 pts each)
|
90
|
|
Participation/Lab
Responsibility
|
10
|
|
Final
Exam
|
300
|
|
Class Point Total
|
1000
|
Exact boundaries will be
determined based on final grade distributions.
Academic integrity
https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/academic-integrity/index.html
Integrity of scholarship is essential for an
academic community. The University expects that both faculty and students will
honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of University
intellectual work. For students, this means that all academic work will be done
by the individual to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind.
Any student who is caught cheating on a quiz or the final exam will
automatically receive a zero and will be reported to the Office of Academic
Integrity.
Accessibility and inclusion
http://disabilities.ucsd.edu | osd@ucsd.edu | 858-534-4382
Students requesting accommodations for this course due to a
disability must provide a current Authorization for
Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD) which is located in University Center 202 behind Center Hall.
Students are required to present their AFA letters to Faculty (please make
arrangements to contact me privately) and to the OSD Liaison in the
department in advance so that accommodations may be
arranged.